At a glance: American League East

NEW YORK YANKEES

Prediction: 1st place

LAST YEAR Record: 103-59, First place in AL East, World Series champions.

RUNNING THINGS Manager: Joe Girardi, third season with Yankees, 192-132, .593 (fourth season overall, 270-216, .556, one pennant, one World Series title).
GM: Brian Cashman, 13th season.

PROJECTED LINEUP

SS Derek Jeter
DH Nick Johnson
1B Mark Teixeira
3B Alex Rodriguez
2B Robinson Cano
C Jorge Posada
CF Curtis Granderson
RF Nick Swisher
LF Brett Gardner

PROJECTED ROTATION

LH CC Sabathia
RH AJ Burnett
LH Andy Pettitte
RH Javier Vazquez
RH Phil Hughes

BOSTON RED SOX

Projection: 2nd place

Outlook. A year ago, they were all over low risks and high rewards, with reclamation projects like John Smoltz, Brad Penny and Rocco Baldelli populating their roster. Now, defense dominates Red Sox Nation. After watching third baseman Mike Lowell and an array of shortstops cover as much ground in a season as Tiger Woods in his five-minute interviews, the Sawx imported Adrian Beltre for third base, Marco Scutaro for shortstop and Mike Cameron for centerfield, with Jacoby Ellsbury moving over to left. While the starting rotation, bolstered by the addition of John Lackey, should be excellent, the offense might make for a flurry of low-scoring games.

Spotlight on. David Ortiz. The ultra-popular designated hitter is in the last year of his contract and must perform very well to get any sort of extension.

Final word. The Sawx will get the AL wild-card spot yet again, and fall to the Angels in the first round for the second straight season.

2009: 95-67, Second place. Wild card.

Manager: Terry Francona, seventh season, 565-407, .581; 10 seasons overall, 850-770, .525, two pennants, two World Series titles.

GM: Theo Epstein.

Last playoff appearance: 2009, lost to Anaheim in Division Series, 3-0.

PROJECTED LINEUP

LF Jacoby Ellsbury
2B Dustin Pedroia
C Victor Martinez
1B Kevin Youkilis
DH David Ortiz
3B Adrian Beltre
RF J.D. Drew
CF Mike Cameron
SS Marco Scutaro

PROJECTED ROTATION

RH Josh Beckett
LH Jon Lester
RH John Lackey
RH Daisuke Matsuzaka
RH Clay Buchholz

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

Prediction: 3rd

Outlook. The Rays have done everything right to try to overcome the Yankees and Red Sox, and they do have a World Series appearance, no small thing, to show for their efforts. And if they fall short this season, it won't be for a lack of effort or creativity. When Rafael Soriano surprised the Braves by accepting free-agent salary arbitration, Tampa Bay pounced and acquired a closer on a good deal. Soriano should have plenty of leads to protect, as the Rays' lineup and starting rotation are both potentially excellent. A key will be whether DH Pat Burrell, awful last season after signing a two-year, $16-million deal, rebounds with a strong walk year.

Spotlight on. OF Carl Crawford. Watch the impending free agent carefully, Yankees fans, and you'll see that the speedster is very good, but not excellent.

Final word. If the Yankees and/or Red Sox falter significantly, the Rays will be there to capitalize. More likely, however, Tampa Bay will finish in third place and shake its collective head in frustration.

2009: 84-78, Third place.

Manager: Joe Maddon, fifth season, 308-340, .475; six seasons overall, 335-364, .479, one pennant.

GM: Andrew Friedman.

Last playoff appearance: 2008.

PROJECTED LINEUP

SS Jason Bartlett
LF Carl Crawford
RF Ben Zobrist
3B Evan Longoria
1B Carlos Pena
CF B.J. Upton
DH Pat Burrell
C Kelly Shoppach
2B Sean Rodriguez

PROJECTED ROTATION

RH James Shields
RH Matt Garza
LH David Price
RH Jeff Niemann
RH Wade Davis

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Prediction: 4th place

Outlook. If they keep this going, they might shortly join the Rays atop the "Get us out of the AL East!" lobby. Under the steady hand of veteran executive Andy MacPhail, Baltimore methodically has rebuilt its organization to a point at which it spent the winter acquiring veterans - like 3B Garrett Atkins, LHP Mike Gonzalez, RHP Kevin Millwood and 3B Miguel Tejada - to help the big-league club make a run at .500. The everyday lineup has the potential to be excellent, and while the starting rotation is more raw, it features pitchers with significant upsides like LHP Brian Matusz and RHP Chris Tillman.

Spotlight on. C Matt Wieters. Fans regard him as the face of this Baltimore renovation program. In his first full season, his progress will be treated as the overall gauge of the franchise.

Final word. In the National League, they'd have a real shot of contending. In this division, though, they'll simply aim not to get buried by the top three teams, and to keep moving forward.

2009: 64-98, Fifth place.

Manager: Dave Trembley, fourth season, 172-244, .413.

Executive VP of Baseball Operations: Mike Flanagan.

Last playoff appearance: 1997.

PROJECTED LINEUP

2B Brian Roberts
CF Adam Jones
RF Nick Markakis
3B Miguel Tejada
C Matt Wieters
D Luke Scott
1B Garrett Atkins
LF Nolan Reimold
SS Cesar Izturis

PROJECTED ROTATION

RH Kevin Milwood
RH Jeremy Guthrie
LH Brian Matus
RH Brad Bergesen
RH Chris Tillman

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Prediction 5th

Outlook. To pile on a similar theme, had the Blue Jays spent the last decade in a different division, they probably would have picked up a playoff appearance or two, and J.P. Ricciardi likely would be the team's general manager, instead of its ex-GM. Now, having gone 0-for-the-2000s, Toronto is starting from scratch after dealing beloved ace Roy Halladay to the Phillies. A potentially solid everyday lineup will try to help a young starting rotation, but really, this upcoming season is all about revving up for a few years down the road.

Spotlight on. New GM Alex Anthopoulos received strong reviews for his Halladay trade, and he has hired a gaggle of new scouts as the Jays try so solve the Bronx-Boston conundrum. Anthopoulos also will have to choose a new manager, as Cito Gaston will step down after this season.

Final word. The surest bet for last place in any of the six divisions. But they're doing the right thing.

2009: 75-87, Fourth place.

Manager: Cito Gaston, third season of current tenure, 12 seasons overall, 809-760, .516, two pennants, two World Series titles.

Executive VP of Baseball Operations: Alex Anthopoulos.

Last playoff appearance: 1993.

PROJECTED LINEUP

RF Jose Bautista
2B Aaron Hill
DH Adam Lind
CF Vernon Wells
1B Lyle Overbay
3B Edwin Encarnacion
C John Buck
LF Travis Snider
SS Alex Gonzalez

PROJECTED ROTATION

LH Ricky Romero
RH Shaun Marcum
RH Brandon Morrow
LH Brian Tallet